With an outright American League Central Division title and a playoff berth within reach, and a star who's closing in on an historic season, the Tigers are giving fans plenty of reason to pay attention. It's been reflected in the TV ratings.

Detroit radio personalities Kimberly "Paigion" Walker and Jordan Johnson, aka "Shorty da Prince," have been named the new co-hosts of BET's "106 & Park." Walker and Johnson are both on-air jocks at WGPR-FM (107.5). Their last day at the station will be Oct. 5.

News/Talk 760 WJR updated their guest host list for the Wednesday, October 3rd broadcast anchored by Governor Rick Snyder. The Governor will be joined by Michigan State University Athletic Director, Mark Hollis and David Brandon, Athletic Director for University of Michigan. Hollis and Brandon will be taking turns subbing for Sports Director, Steve Courtney, also taking a short hiatus this week. Courtney is also the broadcast anchor for WJR's tailgate shows at all MSU home games.

Said Courtney with tongue firmly in cheek: "I'm not sure if Mark and David know what they're getting into, not being used to performing under pressure or anything. At least at WJR they can get the finest in lukewarm coffee, stale donuts and verbal harangues from Executive Producer Ann Thomas to make them feel at home."

Michigan Radio (WUOM-FM 91.7 Ann Arbor / WFUM-FM 91.1 Flint / WVGR-FM 104.1 Grand Rapids) News Director Vincent Duffy has taken office as chairman of the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). Duffy is the first public media news director ever elected to this position with the national organization. Duffy served as chair-elect of the RTDNA during 2011. He takes over the chairmanship from Kevin Benz of CultureMap Austin, who now assumes the role of chairman of the Radio Television Digital News Foundation.

"I'm excited about this opportunity to represent electronic journalists, including digital journalists, and advocate on their behalf," commented Duffy. Looking forward, Duffy hopes to grow the membership of the organization and increase RTDNA's journalism training and advocacy work.

Dr. Don Carpenter, morning host at CBS/Detroit Country WYCD-FM 99.5, has been named as an inductee to the 2013 class of the Country Radio Hall of Fame in Nashville. Carpenter has been with the station for over 20 years.

Legendary Detroit news anchor Diana Lewis wrapped up her career behind the anchor desk for Scripps ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV Ch. 7 this evening, co-anchoring the station's 5 and 6 p.m. news broadcasts for the final time as she heads into retirement. Congratulations and best wishes to one of the most-liked and respected news personalities the Detroit market has ever seen.

Clear Channel/Grand Rapids Country WBCT-FM 93.7 raised over $135,000 in last month's annual Roofsit for Kids. The event raises money for West Michigan agencies with programs that work with neglected and abused kids.

Cumulus/Flint Country WFBE-FM 95.1 raised over $50,000 in a Children's Miracle Network fundraiser for Flint's Hurley Medical Center on September 27th-28th.

"To everyone at home, God bless you. Thanks so much for loving me. I love you back." With those heartfelt words, longtime Detroit news anchor Diana Lewis concluded a 44-year-career in television at the end of this evening's 6 p.m news on WXYZ-TV (Channel 7).

It's called the WHFR Record Show, but this fifth annual event at Henry Ford Community College features more than just vinyl records. A social event for collectors and music lovers, the show draws vendors selling and trading CDs, videos and music and pop-culture memorabilia.

Legendary news anchor Diana Lewis left an indelible mark not only on TV viewers but also on her co-workers at WXYZ-TV. Lewis, who retired Wednesday, was back on the set Thursday, where she received a well-deserved televised send-off called "Diana Lewis: A Friend Forever." JoAnne Purtan, who co-anchored "Action News" at 5 p.m. with Lewis, hosted the segment, which included appearances by former WXYZ-TV personalities such as meteorologist Jerry Hodak, sports anchor Don Shane and of course the equally legendary Bill Bonds.

More Details: Colleagues give Diana Lewis big send-off: "Is that Billy?" asked Diana Lewis as she waited to go on the air Thursday for a salute to her broadcast news career. Bill Bonds was seated nearby with a group of WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) luminaries and several Lewis family members.

If you were bothered by the radio station shake up in Detroit that left the city with out it's nationally noted 107.5 jazz station, on-air personality Koffey Brown feels you. And she's been working to address the issues and alleviate the pain of it all, through candid discussion of Detroit's radio wars.

Major League Baseball to frustrate some MLB playoff viewers: Sunday's Detroit Tigers - Oakland A's playoff game, scheduled for noon, will only be available on television to cable and satellite customers on systems that carry MLB Network. Unlike the National Football League, which offers games to local broadcast affiliates when games air either on NFL Network or ESPN, MLB Network will maintain its exclusive rights to carry two Division Championship Series games - including Sunday's Tigers-A's contest. In the immediate Detroit area, the decision will affect numerous subscribers to WOW!, the country's 15th largest cable provider.

Yet another retransmission contract issue may affect TV viewers in West Michigan as Gannett, owner of ABC affiliate WZZM-TV Ch. 13 Grand Rapids, threatens to pull its 19 stations off Dish Network at midnight on October 8th. A new twist to these negotiations is Gannett's displeasure with Dish Network's automatic commercial-skipping technology used on its DVRs.

Out: The Bob & Tom Show from Townsquare Media Classic Hits WFGR-FM 98.7 Grand Rapids; Andy O'Riley And Dave Kaechele take over morning drive with a new local offering starting on Monday.

Two local talents, one from radio and the other from television, will be joining to wake up West Michigan residents as the newest morning show in town on Classic Hits 98.7FM-WFGR starting Monday. Townsquare Media announced today that Andy O'Riley and Dave Kaechele will be the new local morning show on as "Andy and Dave in the Morning".

You may have noticed commercials and information running on WZZM 13 regarding DISH network. WZZM 13's parent company, Gannett Broadcast, is in negotiations with DISH over the fees that DISH must pay to carry WZZM 13's programming. Gannett has released a statement:

Back on the air: FM 90.7 Harrison with new religious programming from West Central Michigan Media Ministries as 'Strong Tower Radio'. The station has changed its call sign to WBHL and increased power to 10,000 watts, greatly expanding the station's previous coverage area when it operated with a non-commercial Classic Country format as WKKM with 100 watts.

Former WRKR-FM 107.7 morning co-host Diane Vunovich will resurface on Adult Contemporary WBXX-FM 104.9 Battle Creek in middays starting October 15th. The syndicated Rick Dees show will be dropped to make room for the local programming.

Justin Verlander pitched the Detroit Tigers to a 3-1 victory over the Oakland A's last night in the first game of the American League Division Series. But for the Tigers, the bigger story may be that the team is in the fifth year of a 10-year cable contract with FoxSports Detroit in which the regional sports network pays the team an average $40 million a season, or about $256,000 per game. That is peanuts by today's standards, and since cable deals with Fox have an option for the team and network to negotiate a revised deal at the mid-point of the contract, the MLB team is about to cash in.

A possible blackout of Grand Rapids ABC affiliate WZZM-TV Ch. 13 on Dish Network was averted today as Gannett, WZZM's parent company, and the satellite company have come to terms on a new agreement on programming fees. No specific details were released. The two sides earlier in the day agreed to an extension that kept Gannett stations on Dish in 19 cities across the country.

It is with saddened hearts that the Detroit Red Wings announce the passing of a beloved member of our organization and hockey family, Mr. Frank Joseph James 'Budd' Lynch. Budd, the longest-tenured employee in Red Wings history at 63 years, passed away this morning after a brief illness at a local rehabilitation center. He was 95-years-old.

For many baseball fans, the voice of Tigers radio color analyst Jim Price is as recognizable as a close friend's. Many fans feel as if they know him; his commentary is as omnipresent in the summer and fall as normal dinner conversation. But almost knowing him isn't close to truly knowing him or what he has gone through the past few years -- and what he's still battling. Price, 71, is in his 20th season as a Tigers broadcaster and his voice is as strong as ever -- even in the midst of his second bout with cancer.

On the air, Part I: WLDN-FM 98.7 Pentwater / Ludington has launched, signing on earlier this month simulcasting sister station Adult Contemporary 'Coast FM' WMLQ-FM 97.7 Manistee. That format is expected to be temporary with WLDN moving to a News-Talk format featuring a combination of local and syndicated talk programs along with Michigan State sports play-by-play. WLDN is owned by Synergy Media.

On the air, Part II: WUPN-FM 95.1 Paradise / Sault Ste Marie has also launched this fall with a Classic Hits format as 'Radio Eagle Soo'. The station joins other 'Radio Eagle' stations in the Northern Lower and Upper Peninsulas owned by Darby Advertising.

If you grew up watching local TV during the early '60s, you may know Fraser resident Don Kolke. From September 1963 to December 1964, Kolke earned local fame as CKLW-TV's Hercules. "I welcomed it," said Kolke, 72, of being cast as the muscular, square-jawed strongman. "I wanted to be on television, and I figured I could have fun with this."

Those are the opening lyrics to a 1960 oldie by Joe Jones and it got me thinking about the radio business that, as most of you know, I am passionate about. In particular, it made me think about TALK radio. Each morning in my e-mail in-box I receive numerous radio trade publications which are now primarily sent out electronically. Several of these "trades" are specifically dedicated to the talk radio format, which includes news and sports as well.

Let it be stated, up front, that I am personally neither registered as a Republican or Democrat and consider myself a "moderate" without a distinct lean to the right or the left. Talk radio, in general, as anyone who listens knows, skews very heavily to the right, while television news, other than the talking heads on cable news channels, tends to be more left leaning. What worries me is that the media, especially talk radio, is reshaping the country into "The Divided States of America." Think back to the amazing unity within our nation immediately after the 9-11 attack. Then remember how fast that wonderful level of patriotism dwindled into a faint memory.

What bothers me the most is the ridiculous amount of on-air conversation centered around politics. Political talk seems to consume nearly 90% of talk radio and, this being an election year, it's been especially overwhelming. Didn't it seem as though a year after the current administration was placed into service, talk radio was over-analyzing the job our President was doing and started to heavily speculate which Republican candidate could put him out of his job in 2012. It's been the better part of three years of second guessing who would be occupying the White House in January of 2013.

Frankly, if talk radio is successful in placing "their man" into the top job in the country, one wonders what they would have to talk about? Secretly Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, et al probably hope the president is re-elected so they'll have four more years of "material" to rant about.

Thank God for the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) that many cable TV subscribers have, including myself, so that we can time-shift programming and scoot past all those political ad's. It's important for us to know about how to vote on certain proposals etc., but most of us can do without the mud-slinging commercials for the candidates. Is a DVR of sorts coming for radio? We'll have to wait and see. Meanwhile, I appreciate having an Internet radio, a smart phone and an iPad all of which allow me to dial up some of the few stations, around the country, which know how to discuss topics other than politics. I only wish we had one here in the Detroit area.

Joey Reynolds was tossed off the air at New York City's WOR Radio to make room for Detroit-native George Noory and his AM coast-to-coast program. Noory, who talks heavily about the paranormal and extraterrestrials, was dropped by WABC a couple of years ago and his network, Premiere Radio (owned by Clear Channel) needed another New York affiliate. This is called "clearing the market," and they needed to clear a station in the Big Apple. So, a live local show got canceled so a syndicated program on 599 stations could get one more clearance. Reynolds is not bitter, just disappointed. Swami Joey predicted that all media is going to hand-held devices nearly seven years ago. He also points out that the proliferation of political talk has probably done much to propel the rapid growth of Sports Talk Radio.

It may not be widely known, but the landslide move of sports radio to the FM band, was propelled by the success of WXYT-FM, known best as 97.1 The Ticket, right here in southeast Michigan. It was originally the brain-child of top-notch sports programmer Tom Bigby, and is being carried forward by current Ticket PD Jimmy Powers. All over the country sports stations are racing off of their AM frequencies and migrating over to FM. It also happened in Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Orlando and now in New York City! What is considered to be the nation's first all-sports station, WFAN-AM 660, is now moving to FM in Manhattan. The 50,000 watt signal on 660 is much greater than the new 101.9 FM coverage...but it's FM, and that's where most of the audience is. Same goes for Orlando where WDBO-AM moved its news-talk format to FM. The AM 580, with a huge signal reaching from the ocean to the gulf, takes on ESPN sports. Yikes!

Here in the Detroit area, the ratings The Ticket has generated quickly pushed it ahead of WDFN-AM 1130. Livonia's AM 1090 WCAR (which were once the call-letters on 1130) took on the ESPN sports format, and after January 1st, WXYT-AM (1270) will drop its format of mostly syndicated talk and feature the new CBS Sports Network. That means goodbye to Charlie Langton in the morning and Doc Thompson in the afternoon. WXYT is owned by CBS. This will make four sports stations for our area, and that's not including WTKA-AM 1050, a strong station from Ann Arbor.

Speaking of sports, as Howard Cosell used to say, here's a tip you may not have thought of regarding your greater enjoyment of local sports broadcasts. Ever since the old days of when the ultimate U-M homer Bob Ufer was colorfully describing the Maize and Blue, avid fans have often enjoyed our local RADIO announcers more than the (supposedly) un-biased TV analysts. If you have a, as previously mentioned, DVR you are in luck. This weekend, while watching Michigan take on Illinois, just pause your DVR for seven seconds to accommodate the seven second delay on WWJ-AM 950. U-M games are also on 97.1 FM HD-2 with a delay of about 41 seconds. This way you can have the audio pretty much in very close sync with the video on your HD TV! Spartan fans, can do the same thing with WJR-AM 760 for the Michigan State supporters. With the Tigers in the hunt for the World Series, let's face it the radio guys run circles around the TV folks. Before the DVR this was not possible, but then before Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" at the Super Bowl in 2004 we didn't have to deal with all these broadcast delay factors.

Let me know if you agree with anything I pontificated about in this column, or if I'm suffering from the delusions of turning another year older a couple of weeks ago.

Denny McLain and Ron Cameron to try TV: Former Tigers pitcher Denny McLain will co-host a 30 minute sports-talk show along with radio veteran Ron Cameron starting this Sunday morning at 11 a.m. on WADL-TV Ch. 38 Detroit. WADL CEO Kevin Adell commented in a release, "There's no other show like this one in the Metro Detroit area. You won't want to miss a minute of the explosive action."

Upper Midwest Broadcasting reports that Northern Star and Baraga Broadcasting have worked out a deal that will change the originating station of FM translator W264CF 100.7 St. Ignace from Baraga's Catholic WIDG AM 940 St. Ignace to Northern Star's Classic Country WCBY AM 1240 Cheboygan. Baraga will sell W364CF to Northern Star for $1 plus 4 years rent on one of Northern Star's towers in the Northern Lower Peninsula.

Young Broadcasting is setting up triopoly for itself in Lansing, Mich. (DMA 116), with the help of partner Shield Media. Shield is buying ABC affiliate WLAJ in Lansing from Sinclair Broadcast Group, but, through joint sales and sharing agreements, will turn over its operation to Young, which already owns CBS affiliate WLNS in the market and manages MNT affiliate WHTV through a joint sales agreement with owner Venture Technologies.

The passing of Budd Lynch last week touched many in the local sports media. Lynch, 95, was a Red Wings employee for 63 years, highlighted by his broadcasting career and later his work as the public address announcer. Ken Daniels, the current Red Wings TV broadcaster, was practically a next door neighbor of Lynch in the Joe Louis Arena press box, sharing thoughts, observations and jokes with the venerable Lynch on a nightly basis.

The CRTC has approved the CBC's application to move PREMIERE CHAINE affiliate CBEF-A/WINDSOR from 540 AM to 1550 AM, the former facility of English-language CBC RADIO 1 affiliate CBE-A (now on FM). CBEF will operate with 10,000 watts from MAIDSTONE, ON; it requested the move due to concern over rust problems at the 540 AM site that necessitated a C$600,000 expense to replace four towers and led the CBC to ask to move the station to CBE's old site and frequency instead. CBEF has also been approved for an FM transmitter at 98.3 FM in SARNIA, ON to fill in coverage that the area will lose when CBEF goes to 1550 AM.

ARISTA NASHVILLE artist BRAD PAISLEY is known for his practical jokes and sense of humor. However, a wager that began five years ago with CBS RADIO Country WYCD/ DETROIT morning show co-host STEVE GRUNWALD, has now affected an entire tribe in KENYA, AFRICA -- in a positive way.

With no debates happening this year between U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and Senate candidate former Rep. Pete Hoesktra, Michigan's Public Radio stations will offer the candidates the chance to answer questions from voters across the state. There are two separate hour-long call-in shows scheduled on the stations of the Michigan Public Radio Network:

Stabenow, the Democratic incumbent, will take questions on a special broadcast of "Michigan Calling" airing Friday, Oct. 19, from 9 to 10 a.m. Hoekstra, the Republican challenger, will be on a week later on Friday, Oct. 26, from 9 to 10 a.m.

The shows will be a statewide "town hall" format airing on public radio stations in every broadcast market in Michigan.

Dick Kernen has been with Specs Howard School of Media Arts for 40 years, and while many things have changed in technology and communication, the value of an internship has not. "We're a little school with a funny name and a lousy football team," the vice president of industry relations said he's long joked, but their game is on when it comes to helping their students.

When Great Lakes Bay-area Detroit Tigers fans turn on the radio to follow the World Series, they may be in for a surprise. Instead of the usual voices of Jim Price and Dan Dickerson, Detroit Tigers fans will probably hear Orel Hershiser, Jon Sciambi, Chris Singleton and Peter Pascarelli.

Fox Sports Detroit will air the American Hockey League Grand Rapids Griffins-Charlotte Checkers game at 7 p.m. Friday. The game will be called by Red Wings broadcast tandem Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond.

CBS Radio/Detroit Sports WXYT-FM 97.1 will be the only radio station in Michigan carrying the local call of the Tigers' in the World Series due to contract rights ESPN Radio has with Major League Baseball for the Fall Classic. Affiliates on the Tigers' Network during the year will have access to ESPN Radio's broadcasts if there are no conflicts in the market with other ESPN Radio affiliates. The call from the Tigers' Dan Dickerson and Jim Price will also be available on SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

Lansing's four major television networks are seeing more than $5 million in revenue this campaign season. But it's not as much as the stations hoped -- and not as much as it could have been. With neither the presidential or U.S. Senate races competitive in Michigan, the ad revenue isn't coming into the local stations like it did even in 2010.

Tom Canedo has been named vice president and general manager of the CBS duopoly WWJ-WKBD Detroit. He comes from WUPA Atlanta, the CBS-owned CW affiliate, where he was general manager. He joined WUPA as local sales manager in 1999 and was named vice president, station manager and director of sales in 2006.

Citadel/Detroit beefs up sales team: The company announced that Laine Buszka, Patrick Delaney, Kevin Hayes, Janet Jablonski, Jon Loughridge, Tyrone Noble, Bethany Rista are the newest members of the Accounts Team for 760 WJR-AM, 93.1 WDRQ-FM and 96.3 WDVD-FM.

The hits keep on coming for WSDP, the student-run radio station serving Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. A slate of the station's volunteers were honored Tuesday with the Board of Education's Volunteer in Public Schools award for their efforts in keeping the award-winning station on the air.

Rhonda Walker's commitment to community service springs from her deep roots in the community, and permeates all her activities. Rhonda Walker started in television news 11 years ago, when she applied to Fox 2 News for a position as traffic reporter. She aspired to the news reporting and anchoring side, but decided to take whatever was available to get into broadcasting. Her foot in the door was traffic. Rhonda's prior work experience was in pharmaceutical sales.